Three compete Tuesday for Senate nomination

Clementa Pinckney has served the people of the Lowcountry as an elected official for 12 years, since he was 22, but Richmond Truesdale Jr. thinks he can do a better job for District 45.

"I've been out there for a long time," said Truesdale, 51. "I understand the struggles of the people in my district, and I've been working for a long time, helping people with problems in one way or another."

Bobby C. Mayes also is running for the Senate seat but could not be reached for comment last week.The three men will face off in the Democratic primary Tuesday.

During his time in office, Pinckney has been instrumental in bringing Jasper County a port and a commercial park, he said. Pinckney also pointed to legislation that allows property owners to pay taxes in installments as a personal accomplishment as well as a law that gives owners of heirs' property a 45-day exclusive window to buy out relatives who are seeking to sell their stakes to developers.

He also has been a strong supporter of an increase in the cigarette tax, full-day kindergarten for 4-year-olds and environmental issues, Pinckney said.

In addition, he said his tenure in the Senate enables him to do the most for his district.

"I'm a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which puts me in a position to bring home the bacon," he said. "When there is any pork on the table, I'm fighting for every piece of bacon to bring home."

He also sits on the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Finance Committee, which he said helps him look out for the Technical College of the Lowcountry and University of South Carolina Beaufort.

Providing each resident an opportunity for quality education, health care and jobs would be top priorities if re-elected, Pinckney said.

Truesdale also pointed to a need for health care reform, saying legislation should ensure that all residents can go to the doctor. He suggested that the state should own more hospitals and should entice physicians to work in the hospitals for lower salaries than they could earn elsewhere by offering incentives such as tax-exemptions and cars.

He also proposed doing away with high school end-of-course examinations, which are required for graduation.

"African-Americans are dropping out of school because they can't pass the exit exam," Truesdale said. "Why go for four years when you can't pass the test? (We should) let teachers decide whether you pass, fail or graduate."

He also said the state should make it easier for adults to obtain high school equivalency diplomas by mail.

Heirs property is also a priority for Truesdale, who said heirs who live in faraway states and do not tend the land should not be entitled to a full share of the South Carolina properties where their relatives live.

Additionally, Truesdale, a truck driver, said he has been fighting for 30 years to improve the state's ports and his knowledge of the system would make him an ideal person to lead the creation of a port in Jasper County.

"My experience with the state port, working to better life for truck drivers and other people, (makes me) the No. 1 man for that (job)," he said. "I believe in giving it all, and I truly care and I love people."